The Harvard product has inspired the Tri-State area — and the nation — by leading the once-floundering Knicks to five wins in a row. And he’s done it without top stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

The question now is: what will happen when “Stat and Melo” return?

Will the Knicks keep on Lin-ning?

“When they come back, I don’t know how long or even if there will be an adjustment period, but I think obviously they’re two of the top players in the league,” Lin said after Saturday night’s 100-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. “We just need to find a way to quickly come together and continue riding this momentum. If we all come together it’s crazy.

“We don’t know how good we can be. The potential is there though for sure.”

Anthony, out with a strained groin, could also play against the Raptors, though he’s more likely to return later in the week.

“We can’t wait to have those guys back,” said Steve Novak, one of the beneficiaries of Lin’s infectious play. “We know obviously how good those guys are and how much they can help us. I think it’s been great for them to be able to see the way that we’ve been playing.”

But there will be an adjustment period.

According to the New York Daily News, Lin has averaged 19.4 shots over the past five games. Stoudemire averages 15.5 and Anthony is up there with 18.8 shots per game.

“There’s an energy that’s contagious. I mean, those guys haven’t played with Jeremy starting and playing like he has been,” said Novak. “Melo was just chomping at the bit last game, he was saying ‘I can’t wait to be back.’ I think that it’s, the things he’s bringing, it’s contagious.”

Coach Mike D’Antoni was on the hot seat before “Linsanity” took over the Knicks. His team seemed lost at 8-15. Now MSG is alive — and so are the Knicks, climbing toward .500 at 13-15.

“I can’t wait to get them back,’’ D’Antoni said. “We should go up to another level. No doubt about it.”

Will “Linsanity” suffer when Carmelo and Amar’e return? Sound off in the comments below…

One Comment

It’s amazing to see how easily people forget that Melo plays very well with a premier point guard. Does anyone remember how he played with Chauncey in leading the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 2009? Who had the ball most of the time? Chauncey! And did Melo fade? No! Instead, Melo became a better player in the regular season before those playoffs and in those playoffs he even had some people believing he was better than LeBron.
Lin is a great story, but I’m not sure he is clutch – the stats aren’t there. Carmelo, on the other hand, is! Whom would you want to have the ball in a tight game with the clock running out, Carmelo or Jeremy? If you answered Jeremy to this question then you certainly need to get checked by a shrink. Chris above me is right, the Knicks can only get better!

lol Noway! you haters think that melo cant play with a point gaurd just have no idea what you are talking about. Melo is one of the best players in the game and now with a true point we will get to see that on display as Lin will be able to get him the ball in great position so he’s not facing double and triple teams. The knicks are about to take the league by storm!!!!!!!